[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 96 (Friday, July 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1494-E1495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF AVON WILLIAMS III

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2005

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, Avon Williams was a true friend and 
dedicated public servant. Over the years it has been a privilege of 
mine to count Avon and his family as friends. It has been America's 
good fortune that he chose to serve us all as a respected and capable 
member of the Pentagon's senior staff.
  We grieve for the loss of a man who I know would have continued to do 
great things for our Nation. And I will miss his wisdom, his wit, and 
our wonderful conversations.
  In Washington, Avon was well known and well respected as counsel for 
the U.S. Department of the Army. Tennesseans remember him as general 
counsel for the state Department of Safety and assistant commissioner 
for the state Department of Economic Development. And during the 1980s 
Avon represented the Nation as second secretary and vice consul in 
Manila, Philippines. This experience made him the resident foreign 
policy expert at our Friday afternoon Roundtable. The man was clearly a 
talented and gifted human being.
  His life story is one of remarkable achievement, many friends, and a 
loving family.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with Jan and the Williams children as 
they honor and mourn this wonderful man.

[[Page E1495]]

  We will never forget his contributions to our country and our state.

                          ____________________